Oil on canvas

92 x 70cm

There are always certain flowers that demand the full attention of the garden. Hollyhocks certainly stand proud and tall, thrusting their flowers above the rest with their welcoming cup of petals. While this flower demands the attention, Centre Stage also refers to the gardener, in this case the Mother in the title of the Mother – Nature exhibition – my mother. She has always spent her days gardening and attending the cycles and in these desperate times is the carter of grey water to sustain the preening Hollyhocks. In a time of record temperatures, ongoing drought and increasing water restrictions her choice was to continue to cultivate hope and beauty.